A massive upgrade of Grand Valley's major administrative software packages was kicked off by Vice President for Finance and Administration Tim Schad in a meeting on November 11.
The university will upgrade its student records, finance and human resources systems to a suite of applications called Banner. The result will be improved access, more Web-based self service options, greater flexibility and strategic planning possibilities. The $6.8 million system, which Schad called "the nervous system of the university that keeps things going" will be implemented over several years.
Grand Valley's current administrative packages -- Student Information Systems, Financial Records Systems and Human Resources Systems -- have been in place for more than 16 years. The current administrative systems are running on IBM hardware that will not be supported after 2007 and software that will soon be non-supported. The upgrade to Banner will provide Grand Valley with updated industry standards for hardware and software applications and 24/7 access to Web services. It will also position the university for additional strategic opportunities that are difficult to implement with the current technology.
Schad called it "the least cost and lowest-risk approach," noting that the university is using tried-and-true software phased in over a long period of time.
"We're implementing in stages," schad said. "We're going to get one system in and get it working before we start on the next one."
While Schad said the upgrade will improve services, he acknowledged that it will be difficult at times.
"I want to celebrate each step as we go forward," he said.
The university community is invited to hear Director of Information Technology Sue Korzinek, address the upgrade in an open forum in the Loosemore Auditorium at the DeVos campus, Tuesday, December 7, at 9 a.m. For more information about the project, visit www.gvsu.edu/it/banner or e-mail [email protected].
